“If my world were to cave in tomorrow, I would look back on all the pleasures, excitements and worthwhilenesses I have been lucky enough to have had. Not the sadness, not my miscarriages or my father leaving home, but the joy of everything else. It will have been enough.”
- May 4, 1929 – January 20, 1993
- British
- Actress, Humanitarian, Fashion Icon, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
table of contents
Quote
“If my world were to cave in tomorrow, I would look back on all the pleasures, excitements and worthwhilenesses I have been lucky enough to have had. Not the sadness, not my miscarriages or my father leaving home, but the joy of everything else. It will have been enough.”
Explanation
In this deeply personal and reflective quote, Audrey Hepburn offers a profound philosophy of gratitude and acceptance. Despite acknowledging real pain—miscarriages and parental abandonment—she chooses to focus on the joy, excitement, and meaning she found in life. Her use of the word “worthwhilenesses” suggests a conscious recognition of the moments and experiences that gave her life purpose and light, even amid sorrow.
The quote embodies a kind of emotional wisdom, shaped by a life of both hardship and extraordinary beauty. Hepburn does not deny her pain, but she refuses to be defined by it. Instead, she emphasizes gratitude for what was good, reinforcing the idea that contentment comes not from perfection, but from perspective. Her final words—“it will have been enough”—are especially powerful, expressing peace with life as it was, rather than as it might have been.
In today’s world, where many struggle with regret, comparison, or unfulfilled expectations, Hepburn’s message offers a gentle reminder: happiness often lies in choosing where to place our focus. By remembering the joy, not the sorrow, we give ourselves permission to feel that life, even with its flaws, can still be rich and complete.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
